Signs and Symptoms of Chlamydia in Men

Signs and Symptoms of Chlamydia in Men

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease, so if contacted, it will manifest both in men and women as well. But, it will have distinct symptoms in each gender because it affects the genital areas. Thus, since these body parts are different, each gender will have its set of symptoms and signs. In the following lines, we will treat how Chlamydia manifests in men, how serious can it get and what men can do about it.

The worst part of a Chlamydia infection is that in a large number of cases the symptoms never show up. It is also called “the silent infection”, because it can spread and do damage without you even noticing it. If you had unprotected sex and you see no bad symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are out of danger. Sorry to break out the news, but 25 to 50% of Chlamydia infections among men go through completely unnoticed. And the lack of symptoms doesn’t mean you are not sick. It is even worse because the bacteria can do a lot of damage until it is tracked down and treated.

But, in case the symptoms do appear, between one to three weeks since exposure, there are some particular signs you have been infected with Chlamydia:

A liquid discharge will appear at the tip of the penis, having a white or cloudy appearance, even like a drop of water.

When urinating, you will feel discomfort, like stinging and burning sensations.

The testicles will be sensitive, as they will get inflamed and painful.

The following symptoms can also occur:

Pain in the rectus, bleeding or discharge.

Conjunctivitis in the eyes.

An infection in the throat.

Remember that the symptoms are not happening all the time, in a constant manner. They can be random and occur in undetermined time periods. So If you experience any of them, even if only once, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

How long can you have chlamydia without symptoms?

The maximum term, since exposure to Chlamydia, for symptoms to appear are three weeks. Until then, any sign of the infection may show up. If the symptoms don’t come out until then, then they will never do, as, in most cases, symptoms are not present at all. In an asymptomatic case, symptoms may appear when complications occur. Untreated, Chlamydia can affect the testicles and entire reproductive tract. So not having symptoms does not mean you are not infected.

How can you catch chlamydia?

Chlamydia is exclusively transmitted through fluids from the genital area. Thus, if you have unprotected sex, the risk of catching it is very high. Also, the same happens in the case of oral sex. Unprotected oral sex with a person you don’t know, can get you with a Chlamydia infection. If you use sex toys, even fingers, in your intimate games, which are not properly washed, there is a chance to contact accidentally the bacteria. Getting in contact with genital fluids represents the highest risk.

How to treat Chlamydia in men?

If discovered early, Chlamydia is very easy to treat in the case of men. A session of antibiotics will help you get rid of the infection. If you have been diagnosed with Chlamydia, it would be recommended to contact your intimate partners because most certainly they will need to be treated as well. It doesn’t matter who’s to blame since you were both involved in an unprotected sexual intercourse. And, if left untreated, Chlamydia can create real health problems, in spite of a real simple treatment.

Chlamydia discharge in men

The Chlamydia test is simple and available even if you don’t present any visible signs of infection. The procedure does not take long and it is not painful, but it may differ regarding the way you may have been infected. In case of unprotected sex, you will be required to provide a urine sample. For the test to be most accurate, try to retain yourself from urinating for about two hours before the test. In case of oral sex, a swab will be taken from your mouth and throat for testing.

Testing is not uncomfortable, so there is no reason not to do it. If you know, you had unprotected sex with a person that is not someone you know very well, or you have doubts about it, then it should be a reason good enough to take the test. Remember that in most cases, symptoms are not visible. The infection can be easily treated with antibiotics. If it is not treated, it can cause severe health issues. So take the test, for your health and peace of mind.

Can chlamydia make you infertile?

Unfortunately, in severe cases when Chlamydia is not discovered to be treated in a timely manner, it can lead to infertility. The bacteria will spread and attack the testicles, leading to damaging sperm and sperm production. In men with Chlamydia infections, the DNA in sperm is much more likely to fragment, making the reproductive cell useless. And the fact that symptoms do not always occur make Chlamydia a real danger to fertility and reproductive system.

How can I reduce my risk of getting chlamydia?

Well, that is simple. Never have unprotected sex, oral and anal included. Because Chlamydia lives in the genital fluids, not being protected during a sexual intercourse is the riskiest way to catch the infection. Unless you have a steady and trusty partner, you shouldn’t venture without proper protection. The condom, in this case, is the best protection. Other birth control methods will fail to protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Once you have found a steady partner, you should go and have both the test, just to eliminate any suspicions. But until then, if you change partners, make sure you always have condoms with you, to avoid a Chlamydia infection.

Chlamydia should not be taken lightly, even if it can be treated in a very simple manner. Usually, it works in silence, not displaying any visible symptoms, which makes it even more dangerous. If not treated, it can lead to severe health issues and even infertility. So in case of unprotected sexual intercourse, including oral and anal sex, with random partners, you shouldn’t wait for the symptoms to appear. They might fail to do so, so testing should always be an option.